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Parks California, in partnership with California State Parks and the California Arts Council, is now accepting applications for the 2026 Arts in California Parks Grant Program. This initiative supports place-based arts and cultural projects that activate public parks, strengthen community connections and promote well-being across California.

For the 2026 grant cycle (the final year of a three-year pilot initiative) up to $2.5 million in funding is anticipated, with individual awards ranging from $15,000 to $100,000. Projects must be ready for implementation during the grant period of October 1, 2026 – September 30, 2027.

About Arts in California Parks

The Arts in California Parks grants program brings together artists, culture bearers, California Native American tribes and diverse communities to create place-based art experiences in state and local parks. That might mean a public art installation, cultural programming, storytelling project, performance series or interactive community art experience, all designed to bring people into parks and deepen their connection to place. The focus is not just on art for art’s sake, but on projects that reflect local culture, honor community history and make parks feel welcoming.

The program aligns with several statewide initiatives working to expand access to the outdoors, including The Outdoor Access for All initiative, The Natural Resources Agency’s Outdoors for All initiative, California State Parks’ Outdoors for All initiative, and California State Parks’ Reexamining Our Past initiative.

Since launching in 2024, the program has invested more than $5.4 million to support 61 projects across California. The 2026 cycle marks the final year of this pilot effort.

What Are the Program Goals?

Funded projects are expected to advance one or more of the following goals:

Welcome – Ensure parks reflect and embrace California’s diversity.
Empower – Support creative careers through mentorship and professional opportunities.
Heal – Leverage arts and nature to promote well-being and social connection.
Connect – Strengthen relationships between communities and public parks.
Inspire – Celebrate California’s cultural heritage and the significance of parklands.

What Projects Are Eligible?

For the 2026 cycle, only Implementation Grants will be offered, meaning proposed projects must be fully developed and ready to move forward during the grant term. Planning and Development grants will not be available this year.

Eligible projects must take place in local or state public parks and be free and open to the public. Proposals should clearly demonstrate alignment with the program’s goals - welcoming diverse communities, fostering connection, supporting well-being and celebrating California’s cultural heritage. Each project must be structured as a collaboration between community organization(s) and local public park manager(s), reflecting shared leadership and inclusive design.

Funding may support artist fees, staff time, materials and fabrication, installation costs, community engagement activities, public events and other expenses directly related to implementation.

Who Is Eligible to Apply?

Applications must be submitted by:

• 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations
• Fiscally sponsored community organizations
• California Native American tribes
• Native 7871 organizations
• Foundations
• Land trusts
• Local government agencies (city, county or regional)

Projects must be collaborative partnerships between community organization(s) and park manager(s).

Bonus Considerations

While not required, proposals that offer multiple engagement opportunities for participants, support artist career development or strengthen the local creative economy, and incorporate financial or in-kind matching contributions will receive additional consideration during the review process.

Funding Overview

• Total anticipated funding: Up to $2.5 million
• Award range: $15,000 – $100,000
• Grant term: October 1, 2026 – September 30, 2027
• Eligible expenses: Implementation-related costs only

The full Letter of Intent (LOI) Application Guidelines and application materials can be found on the Arts in California Parks grants program webpage.

For more information on this grant or how to apply with Morrison’s assistance, please contact the Morrison Grants Team by email at grants@morrisonco.net or call us at 530-893-4764.